The continuous changes in the applications and characteristics of the devices increase the production of electrical and electronic devices (EEE) and make the innovation/obsolescence cycles shorter, accelerating their replacement and generating a correlative increase in the generation of waste derived from these devices (WEEE). Due to the presence of toxic substances in its composition, such as heavy metals, WEEE poses a risk to human health and the environment if it is not managed correctly. On the other hand, very rare and valuable materials are also used in its manufacture. Its recovery, preparation for reuse and recycling, not only avoids the extraction of non-renewable raw materials and the environmental and social impacts caused by mining, but also reduces the emission of greenhouse gases associated with its processing.
Evolution of the quantity of domestic EEE put on the market and the quantity of WEEE collected selectively in the EU
Source:EUROSTAT
The amount of electronic and electrical equipment put on the market has grown by 71% between 2010 and 2018.
However, the percentage of selective collection of WEEE only increased by 10% in the same period.
For this reason, there is an evident need to improve the selective collection of WEEE in order to ensure a correct environmental management of WEEE and, therefore, a better contribution to the development of the circular economy, since the production of these appliances requires the use of scarce and expensive resources.